"Summer is short, and you can't waste a single summer evening being outside with your friends," said Ketch'em Alive organizer Will Caldwell.
In its 11th year, Ketch'em Alive is one of Ketchum's most anticipated free music concert series. The fun begins on Tuesday, June 29, from 7-9 p.m. The concerts take place every Tuesday through Aug. 24, from 7-9 p.m. and picnics are welcome.
This year, opening acts will feature some of the valley's most talented young musicians from Music 'n' Me youth programs, teacher Mary Poppen's music students and several youth bands.
"It's amazing what is out there for talent," Caldwell said. "I gotta put the kids on stage at every opportunity."
Caldwell said it's his pleasure to organize and find music for Ketch'em Alive because it's fun to have his whole family every week at a lively picnic to meet friends.
"It's surprising what great live music we can get with a small budget," he said. "Once bands come to Ketchum, they love it, and they want to come back."
Ketch'em Alive is kept a free event through support from community businesses, residents and the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber Visitors Bureau.
Another free concert series for the summer, which is supported by funding from community member Dayle Folwer and the chamber, is Jazz in the Park.
"People who go to Jazz in the Park know it's good," said Caldwell, who also organizes that six-week concert series. "It grows every year. The Rotary Park in Ketchum is the idyllic spot."
Jazz in the Park features many of the valley's accomplished musicians, including Paul Tillotson and his trio, Alan Pennay and Cheryl Morrell as well as the Sun Valley Latin Jazz Ensemble, which will have Caldwell as a member.
"It's a shorter series so it does not compete with the symphony," Caldwell said.
The Sun Valley Summer Symphony offers a series of free concerts that starts on Aug. 2.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Ketch'em Alive schedule
Ketch'em Alive is a free Tuesday evening concert series. Shows run from 7-9 p.m. in Ketchum's Forest Service Park.
· June 29, Rubblebucket
· July 6, Free Sound
· July 13, The Heaters
· July 20, Kusun Ensemble
· July 27, Orgone
· Aug. 3, Run for Cover
· Aug. 10, Maria Muldaur
· Aug. 17, 812 band
· Aug. 24, Matt Lewis Band
Jazz in the Park schedule
Jazz in the Park is a free Sunday evening concert series. Shows run from 6-8 p.m. in Ketchum's Rotary Park.
· June 27, Paul Tillotson Trio
· July 4, Alan Pennay with Cheryl Morrell
· July 11, Sun Valley Latin Jazz Ensemble
· July 18, Kevin Kirk's Onomatopeoia
· July 25, John Northrup's Jazz Rangers
· Aug. 1, Idaho Falls Jazz House Band
Ketch’em Alive free music concerts on Tuesday evenings are a summer treat for all. Photo by Willy Cook
